Chapter 41: The Daughter's Escape Is Not a Long-Term Solution

The incident of the Crown Princess and Consort Liang encountering danger during the spring hunt caused a stir for several days, during which Princess Yong'an was accidentally injured. The Empress was furious about this, and the Crown Prince even interrogated the people overnight. Under such circumstances, the Emperor had no choice but to give the Empress an explanation.

Because it was discovered that Princess Yongjia was involved that day, and because of her excessive behavior during the interrogation, the emperor ordered that Princess Yongjia be sent back to the capital first. This time, no matter how much Consort Yao pleaded, the emperor did not summon her.

Before leaving, Princess Yongjia cried out to her father, the emperor, her eyes red and filled with tears. In the past, her pitiful appearance would have already touched the emperor's heart, but when he saw her off that day, he did not hesitate at all.

"Maybe it really isn't her."

Although Shen Yujiao disliked Princess Yongjia, they had clashed several times. The princess was indeed spoiled, but not ruthless.

Jiang Chen closed the medicine jar, picked up a handkerchief to wipe his hands, nodded and said, "I also had someone investigate later. The Princess Consort of Huan was with her that day. They were probably one principal offender and the other an accomplice."

"Even if she wasn't the mastermind, she must have done something at the instigation of Princess Huan."

Liu Shi...

Shen Yujiao frowned as she thought of her. At first, she thought that this Princess Huan was a victim in the whole story, but after these incidents, her sympathy for Liu Shi had long since disappeared.

She was not Miss Shen. Liu had tried to harm Miss Shen but almost cost her her life. This debt would be settled sooner or later. She thought for a moment and asked, "How is Yong'an's injury?"

"Fortunately, she is young and her bones are flexible, so her injury was not too serious. She has recovered a lot after resting for a few days, but she is still a little hesitant to take steps when walking."

Thinking of that little person, Shen Yujiao felt a pang of guilt. She asked again, "What has Consort Rong been doing these days?"

Originally, Consort Rong was not brought along on this spring hunt, but after learning that her daughter was injured, the usually weak Consort Rong surprisingly insisted on coming. The Empress, mindful of her maternal love, had Consort Rong brought to Jiande. However, after arriving at the villa, Consort Rong could only cry when she saw her daughter's injury. The Empress saw this several times and found it really annoying, so she sent her back to the palace.

"Still the same as before. I heard that even after returning to the palace, he still spends his days in tears."

This beauty Rong… Shen Yujiao frowned, she really didn’t understand her.

Logically speaking, since her daughter was injured, as a mother, she should either be strong enough to demand an explanation for her daughter, or take good care of her daughter's health. The Empress rarely gives her such an opportunity, yet she seems to be wasting it.

Jiang Chen suddenly spoke up, interrupting her inner grumbling: "Speaking of which, I'm going back with the Emperor tomorrow. Will you be alright here by yourself?"

Coming to her senses, Shen Yujiao said helplessly, "What's wrong with that? You've asked me about it a hundred times in the last two days. Besides, Consort Chu is still with me at the villa."

"She—" Jiang Chen was speechless. "Jiaojiao, you're almost fully recovered. Why don't you come back with me? Let her rest here by herself, and we can arrange for two people to take care of her, okay?"

Upon hearing this, Shen Yujiao shook her head, disagreeing, "This matter is not entirely unrelated to us. The people below are already observing how you and I treat Consort Chu. If I return to the capital with you, the people at the villa certainly won't take good care of her."

"Besides... I have something else to do. I'm going to see the Queen tonight."

Since Shen Yujiao had made up her mind, Jiang Chen did not force her. The next day, the emperor led everyone back to the capital. The crown princess and the concubines, who had been injured during the spring hunt, stayed at the villa to recuperate. Princess Yong'an also stayed with them.

After the large group of people left, Shen Yujiao went to visit Princess Yong'an. When she entered the room, she saw Princess Yong'an lying on the bed reading a book, looking very serious.

"What is Yong'an looking at?"

"Sister-in-law!"

Upon seeing that it was Shen Yujiao, Yong'an's eyes widened instantly. She threw the book aside and tried to get up, but Shen Yujiao quickly went over and pressed her shoulders down: "You're not fully recovered yet, don't get up."

“It’s alright,” Yong’an said, sitting up and rubbing his lower back. “I’m almost fully recovered and don’t need to lie down every day anymore.”

She stepped forward and pulled Shen Yujiao to sit down on the edge of the bed. "Is your sister-in-law much better? I haven't seen her for the past few days, and Yong'an was very worried about her."

"Your sister-in-law is all better now, she was just worried about you." Shen Yujiao reached out and tapped her little nose, then her gaze fell on the title page of the book, "The Art of War..."

"Can Yong'an understand it?"

Speaking of this, Princess Yong'an's face showed a hint of frustration: "I still only have a vague understanding of it, and I can't really understand it."

“I see…” Shen Yujiao’s fingertips traced the paper. “It’s alright, Yong’an, take your time reading it. One day, the meaning of the book will become clear.”

"Yes!" The little boy nodded emphatically.

"Tomorrow, your mother will come to the villa to take care of you. Once you are fully recovered, we will go back together."

Upon hearing Shen Yujiao mention bringing Rong Meiren over, Yong'an's expression instantly became tense. "Sister-in-law, Mother, Mother..."

“Yong’an,” Shen Yujiao raised her hand and stroked Yong’an’s back to comfort him, “Your sister-in-law knows that you are a smart child, so you should be able to understand that in this deep palace, running away is not a long-term solution, right?”

"Sister-in-law..."

“Although Yongjia did not hurt you intentionally that day, if your mother continues like this, you can’t even protect yourself today, so what will happen if your mother is in danger in the future?”

Yong'an bit her lower lip, as if she was struggling with something. She nestled next to Shen Yujiao and pondered for a long time before finally nodding silently.

When Consort Rong re-entered the royal villa, unlike the previous time when it was in chaos, there were only three masters in the villa. She was led all the way to the main hall of the Crown Princess's residence. After the eunuch left, the hall was silent.

"You're here?"

When Shen Yujiao appeared in the hall, Consort Rong was like a startled rabbit. She quickly stood up from her chair and bowed deeply to Shen Yujiao: "This concubine greets Your Highness the Crown Princess. May Your Highness the Crown Princess be well."

Mu Jin placed the pillow behind Shen Yujiao's back, then led the maids to serve tea to the two of them. Afterwards, she led the maids out. Throughout the process, Shen Yujiao showed no intention of asking Consort Rong to get up.

The hall fell silent again. Shen Yujiao's eyes continued to scrutinize, and after a long while, she spoke: "Today, it is just the two of us here. In front of me, Consort Rong, you don't need to put on an act."

"Your Highness..." Consort Rong said anxiously, "What Your Highness said..."

"Hmm?" Shen Yujiao stared straight at her, her eyes unblinking.

"This concubine does not understand the meaning, please enlighten me, Your Highness!"

Rong Meiren kowtowed three times to Shen Yujiao, her forehead turning bright red. Shen Yujiao sighed silently, "I told you, it's just us here."

Seeing that Consort Rong remained prostrate on the ground without speaking, Shen Yujiao squatted down and spoke to her: "Consort Rong, I invited you here today for the sake of Yong'an."

"It's not easy for women in the palace to survive, something I understand, which is why I can understand why you've always stayed in a small side hall. And very few children in the palace survive, so I can understand your desire to remain humble and unassuming forever."

"But I must remind you that Yong'an is already nine years old. In a few years, she will be married off. Unlike princes, princesses can leave the palace and establish their own residences in the future. If you do not plan for her future, she may very well marry a mediocre playboy."

Although she maintained the same posture as before, Rong Meiren's back seemed a little stiff at this moment. Shen Yujiao continued, "Perhaps you want to say that now that Yong'an is being raised in Kunyi Palace, the Empress will surely make plans for her. But have you ever thought that if the Empress Dowager personally chooses a husband for her, then Yong'an's marriage will not be so simple?"

If it's not a chess piece, why bother setting up a strategy for it?

"Six or seven years is enough time for you to plan for her. Being born into the royal family is already her destiny. Do you really want to continue like this? You are willing to live a lonely life in the palace, but she is only nine years old. Can you bear to do that?"

The hall remained silent for a long while. Then, Consort Rong slowly straightened up. She raised her head, her gaze clearer than ever before, filled with no tears, only a calm as deep as a pool.

After a long pause, Shen Yujiao heard her speak: "I must first thank Your Highness for thinking of Yong'an, but... has Your Highness considered that once the arrow is released, there is no turning back? If I fail, Yong'an will have no way out."

"Yong'an was born into the imperial family. Is it necessary for me to teach her such a thing as seeking wealth and honor amidst danger? Although she is young, she is braver than you."

"A newborn calf is not afraid of a tiger. Yong'an is still just a child at heart. If she grows up and becomes fearful, it would be better for her to marry into an ordinary wealthy family."

“Then why don’t you go ask her?” Shen Yujiao slowly stood up, the beautiful woman enveloped in her shadow, her voice fading into the distance: “She is more shrewd than you think.”

Spring was in full bloom, the sunlight was perfect, and the raccoon in the corner of the wall lazily stretched in the sun. The palace door slowly closed, shutting out the outside temperature. Rong Meiren knelt on the cold porcelain plate, feeling a chill creeping up from her knees. She wanted to leave, but suddenly realized that she had nowhere to retreat.

"If you wish to regain favor, the Kunyi Palace and the East Palace will be your and Yong'an's support from now on. If you still want to live as before, then it will be as if the Japanese Emperor has not summoned you."

The Crown Princess's words still echoed in her ears. Consort Rong was unsure whether there was a spy around her or if she had been careless in front of the Empress. After hiding for so many years, she had finally been caught.

Well, since we've already come this far, let's just consider it for our daughter's sake.

She's right. I can be humble and hide, but Yong'an was born a princess. She's no less than Yongjia or Yongshou. If there's any shortcoming, it's probably that she's her mother.

Rong Meiren slowly rose from the darkness. Her knees, which had been aching from kneeling for a long time, trembled slightly, but her back was straighter than ever before. The palace doors opened wide, and she slowly walked into the sunlight.

"Your Highness, Consort Rong has gone to see Princess Yong'an," Mu Jin reported quietly as she walked in from outside.

"Okay." It's good that you went to see it. Shen Yujiao was afraid that Rong Meiren didn't have the spirit to do so. She was actually gambling when she saw Rong Meiren today. She wasn't sure if Rong Meiren was really like that or if she was just acting.

What she was betting on was a mother's desire to protect her child.

Parents who love their children plan far ahead for them. Hiding them in the cold palace is one way, but regaining their favor in the future is another.

Shen Yujiao slowly put down the book "The Art of War" in her hand, stood up and said: "Give the order that it is the Empress's decree. In order to take care of Princess Yong'an, the princess will stay here tonight. At that time, Consort Rong will come over with her. After she arrives, you will personally take her to Granny Li."

Since transmigrating, Shen Yujiao has endured for a long time. Now, the Huaqing Palace has reached out to her. If she doesn't confront Consort Yao and her daughter directly, she really doesn't know if she can escape with her life next time.

As for Consort Rong... since they have a common enemy, aren't they the best allies?